Moore Trailer Park Is Still On Edge Month Has Passed Since Last Fire At Mobile Home Court

November 11, 1985|by TAD MILLER, The Morning Call

It has been more than a month since there has been a fire in the Country North Mobile Home Park in Moore Township, but that hasn't lessened concern over a suspected arsonist.

Three house fires in recent months have been attributed to arson in Country North along Route 248, and a fourth is suspected to be arson, neighbors say. They have charged that other strange events also are connected, including a rash of thefts about two years ago and periodic signs of attempted entry.

Residents say they are scared. Most have adjusted by leaving on lights or making sure at least one family member is home as often as possible.

No fires have occurred since about Labor Day, but residents havereported some signs of attempted arson and entry.

Residents and township police have said they believe the culprit may be a resident of the park. There are more than 70 living units in the park.

Police believed they were close to catching a would-be arsonist Oct. 5 during a four-hour manhunt in a field next to the mobile home park. The searchers included personnel from six police departments and a fire department, and two dogs - including a K9 dog - but turned up nothing.

The incident came about when a resident interrupted someone inside his home. In addition to some items being disturbed, the resident said he found a can of gasoline outside his residence.

More recently, a resident noticed damage to a light fixture, and a storm window was pried open Nov. 3, according to Adele McDonald, president of the park's homeowners association. Another resident also found a window pried open and a kerosene can on his property about the same time, she said.

The incidents have been the topic of concern throughout the neighborhood and were addressed during a recent meeting of the homeowners association, which was attended by about 40 residents. The meeting was set to discuss ways to ensure more safety.

Two primary proposals discussed included a "buddy system" of calling neighbors when leaving the home and a new type of fire detection unit outside the home, according to McDonald.

She said all residents, even non-members of the association, will be invited to a future meeting to inform residents of the available system.

Many also displayed a dissatisfaction with the township Police Department during the meeting, she said. "They (police) just seem to think the people are getting paranoid, which I guess they are," she said, "but with good reason."

Police protection has been intensified in the park. An officer was located in the development 24 hours a day for two weeks during October, and residents report seeing cruiser cars more frequently. Still, some residents were said to believe the police are no longer taking the matter as seriously.

"We've never said they are paranoid," Chief Sherwood Roberts said. "They want us to point fingers at a culprit, and we're not ready to do that."

He also said the department is giving those residents as much extra police protection as they can, but costs and protection to the rest of the township must also be considered.

In general, residents remain scared and frustrated, McDonald said.

"I'm at a loss that nobody in broad daylight sees anybody around these homes," she said of the two most recent incidents.